The Patagonia Rover is a multi-sport shoe that is aimed at combining the best of a trail runner with an approach shoe. Its lightweight design will appeal to those that love to go fast and light. Whether running up dirt trails or scrambling to the top of a peak, the sticky rubber outsole provides crucial traction on an assortment of terrain.
When I first saw the Rover I was impressed by the look and design. At first glance it resembles an approach shoe, but once you take a deeper look, you see that it is design a lot like a runner. One of my favorite features of the Rover is the variable lacing system. This gives you the ability to fully adjust and customize the fit and comfort level. On more technical terrain you are able to tighten the shoe all the way down to the forefoot for better control.
When combining the lacing system with the outsole you get a stable and sure footed shoe. The outsole is a smooth and lugged sole combination that provides traction for a variety of surfaces. The forefoot is a smooth sticky rubber that is sticky enough for a little edging. I am not saying that you are going to be climbing 5.11+ in these shoes, but you could definitely feel confident on 5.4 slabs. The lugged section will give you better control on loose terrain or while descending.
The Rover has a 4mm drop midsole which encourages a natural foot strike. To increase comfort the midsole is constructed of dual-density EVA. The heel is softer and provides increase cushioning compared to the ball. The .8mm forefoot ESS plate helps protect against rocks or other small objects when running or hiking. I was amazed at how well this truly worked.
The uppers are extremely breathable and comfortable. There was no break-in time and the Rover is comfortable right out of the box. The first day I put them on in the morning and didn’t take them off until night and had no problems all day long. The abrasion-resistant mesh provides breathability while the synthetic leather gives some structure to the shoe. When first seeing the synthetic leather, I was a little hesitant about its durability, but it seems to be holding up pretty well. The toe rand and the heel rand also add protection and durability.
The stretch gusseted tongue is comfortable and does help to keep debris out. I never used this shoe in the sand but I assume with all the mesh that sand would find its way in.
The Verdict: If you are on the market for a new pair of trail runners or even an approach shoe I would definitely take the time to check out the Patagonia Rover. With mesh uppers for breathability and a sticky outsole for traction, the Rover is a great multi-sport shoe. Right out of the box the Rover is ready to go for all day comfort.
If the Patagonia Rover looks like a shoe you would like, here is your chance. We are giving a pair away to one lucky reader. For your chance to win, all you need to do is sign into the box below. After that, to increase your chance of winning follow the additional steps in the box. We will then pick one lucky person on November 20, 2013.
Also check out this sweet video that Patagonia produced to talk about the Rover shoes.
Product provided for free by the manufacturer for review purposes.